Trump Pressures the Thai government to Recommit to Cambodian Ceasefire with Trade Penalties
Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to reaffirm its dedication to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, indicating that trade talks could be suspended as attempts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated peace agreement from collapsing.
Rising Border Hostilities
Earlier this week, Thai officials declared it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, including one that reportedly injured a Thai military personnel on patrol, who lost a foot in the explosion.
Since then, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by exchanges of fire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a fresh wave of tit-for-tat fighting.
American Economic Leverage
Over the weekend, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson informed reporters that a official communication from the Office of the US Trade Representative announcing the pause in trade negotiations was received on Friday night.
The spokesperson referenced the letter as saying that trade negotiations – which are focusing on a US tariff of 19% – could resume once Thailand renewed its pledge to implementing the joint ceasefire declaration.
“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” said another government spokesperson.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Speaking to the press on Air Force One as he traveled to the Sunshine State on the end of the week, the US leader implied that he had employed tariff warnings in calls with the ASEAN nation heads.
The US president said, “I stopped a war just today through the use of tariffs, the threat of tariffs,” adding, “they’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.”
Ceasefire Agreement Background
Trump oversaw the signing of a ceasefire agreement, held in Malaysia this October, and has promoted it as one of several deals around the globe he claims should earn him the prestigious peace award.
The most severe clashes in a ten years between Thai and Cambodian troops broke out in mid-summer, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks leaving dozens of people killed and hundreds of thousands forced to flee.
Historic Frontier Conflict
Thailand and Cambodia have a historic territorial disagreement that dates back to conflicts regarding colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the frontier are claimed by both sides.
Reuters contributed to this report.
